India, Sri Lanka Fishers Hold Firm on Fishing Rights

COLOMBO (News 1st); Fishermen from India's Rameswaram are demanding unrestricted access to harvest fish in the waters near Sri Lanka.

However, the Sri Lankan fishermen have reiterated their stance, asserting that there can be no room for concessions.

The recent sentencing of four Indian fishermen by the Delft court for trespassing in the Sea of Sri Lanka has ignited tensions, prompting protest actions among Tamil Nadu's fishing community.

In response to the court's decision, the President of Rameswaram Fishermen's Association engaged in dialogue with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. 

"The fishermen detained in Sri Lankan prisons must be released. The boats held by the Sri Lanka Navy must also be released. As a permanent solution to the issue, Sri Lankan fishermen in Indian prisons, and Sri Lankan boats must be released," said  P. Jesuraj, the Leader of the Rameswaram Fishermen's Association. 

The fishing community in Jaffna emphasize that there can be no further leniency or accommodation for any actions that violate established norms.

"The fishing community in the North have been very lenient with the fishermen from Tamil Nadu despite the use of Bottom Trawling to pillage our marine resources. Therefore, we will no longer allow them to pillage the Sea of Sri Lanka using illegal methods," said Annalingam Annarasa, the Secretary of the Delft Fisheries Association.